According to estimates from the Energy Information Administration, in just two decades U.S. energy consumption will increase by almost 40 percent – an amount equivalent to the energy used today in California, Texas, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Transportation accounts for more than 67 percent of the oil we consume in the United States and more than we produce. Today, our country imports more than 56 percent of its oil supply, and imports are expected to reach 70 percent over the next two decades. Experience should tell you that Americans energy gluttony will never result in lower energy costs. My focus here will be on what you can do to help reduce your energy consumption and therefore energy costs in your home. Be aware of the differences between energy conservation (changing behaviours to reduce energy consumption) and energy efficiency (changing behaviours to get more out of the energy you do consume).

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) if every U.S. household makes their next light bulb purchase a CFL, the nation would save up to 800 million dollars on its annual energy bill and 8.4 billion kilowatt hours in electricity. That's enough to power more than 808,000 U.S. homes for one year and the reduction in air pollution will be equal to removing 1.2 million cars from the road.